Bastille Day

2016

Bonjour once again..

We seem to do something different each year to celebrate Bastille Day and this year it was decided to hold a morning tea followed by the showing of a french movie. Yvonne, our resident of french origin was present but unfortunately Renee was not able to attend this year.

Yvonne..

Yvonne contributed to the display table.

Our little friend was also present once again..

While there was no admittance fee, few were able to escape our determined raffle ticket sellers, suitable attired.

We should all be putting on weight here in the village. It only takes a quick call to residents to bring a plate of food and we have a great selection of delicious morsels to try.

Yum Yum

Not only did Yvonne contribute to the display table but she also made available her vast collection of owl figures collected from all over the world which attracted much attention. These were displayed on the two top shelves behind the food tables, temporarily replacing some of the workshop products

There was much red, white and blue to be seen.

Wes has a birthday on this day so of course we had to recognise his 89th year.

Our lucky raffle winners.. french wine naturally.

When everyone had finished enjoying their morning tea we all adjourned to the auditorium for the showing of the movie. But first we all sang the French National Anthem, La Marseillaise, led by our own John P with Joan on the piano.

John and Joan prepare.

This was followed by the movie “The Belier Family”, a recent award winning french movie with english subtitles. But we had no problem following the plot.

The movie

A most enjoyable day was had by all… I wonder what we will do next year??

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2015

Bonjour everyone,

This year it was decided to celebrate Bastille Day with a formal dinner. It became the theme for our monthly Tuesday Night Dinner for July 2015 and once again, Yvonne and Renee, our residents of french origin, were admirable hosts.

The Social Committee hard at work

There was a lot of activity during the afternoon as the Social Committee transformed our Centre with a lot of red white and blue decorations.

Even the usual fund raising raffle had a french theme.. (Love the little man guarding the wine…)

That evening a large crowd assembled which speaks to the popularity of our annual Bastille Day celebrations. And of course our residents can always be relied upon to “dress up” for such an occasion.

Of course it could not all happen without the hard work put in by the caterers and our volunteer staff acting as waiters….. Here they are hard at work in the kitchen..

Yes, the menu was french based…..

Bon appétit !

So after a great night out a well fed crowd headed for home and vowed to be back again next year for another Bastille Day celebration..

(Your reporter apologises in advance for all of the french translations above.. and do not ask me what was said, I will leave that for you to work out…)

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2014

What a wonderful time we had over in the community centre on the 14th July 2014 where we celebrated Bastille Day. Yvonne and Renne, our residents of french origin, were both our hosts and our honoured guests for an afternoon tea.

Paris, France.. Bastille Day

While Paris may have celebrated with their Eiffel Tower, we had our own Eiffel Tower here which was kindly provided by John.. What a beauty!!!

Is it really constructed from matchsticks??Yvonne and Renee show their approval

Yvonne also provided a few of her own treasured items from France for us to view, in particular her model of the hospital in her old home town.

The hospital model…

The afternoon began with us assembling in the auditorium where we all joined in and sang the French National Anthem, La Marseillaise, led by our own John who was quite suitably attired. John was accompanied on the piano by Joan. I didnt know that so many of our residents could sing so well in the french language..

John looking very much the part..John addressing the assembled crowd.Yvonne thanking everyone for coming along and helping to celebrate this special day…

After the formal part of the day, we all settled down to enjoy the movie “Gigi”, an oldie but a goodie and quite appropriate…

This was followed by what must be one of the best afternoon teas this year, although our wonderful social committee volunteers always do us proud. Have a look at some of these yummy french pastries and gateau…

How about those swans???More swans!!!And the Gateau..

Of course it would not have happened without some very hard working volunteers. Here are just two of them..

Carol & Rosemary (must be said with a french accent)Coffee or tea says Pat…Oh well, I shouldnt, but maybe just one more then…MerciThe table place mats.

Oh boy, I dont think I could fit in one more pastry..I could…

And now for thePièce de résistance…

Yes, we did have a Can Can girl there with appropriate stockings, and here is a photo to prove it……..

Oh La La….. (Who is that??)

And I hear you asking “is that appropriate stocking held up by an equally appropriate garter???” Well of course it was… and here is another photo to prove it..